Police back summer drink and drug-driving campaign

Ben O’Connell

Northumbria Police is backing a national summer campaign to clamp down on drink and drug-driving.

Officers will be out on the roads during a Month of Action this June in support of the National Police Chief Council (NPCC) summer drink and drug-driving campaign.

As part of the campaign, the team will be conducting roadside checks, testing any drivers suspected of drink or drug-driving and targeting known drink-drivers.

All drivers involved in collisions are being breath-tested and motor patrols officers are carrying out additional routine breath tests alongside their normal observations of motorists.

Northumbria Police is also reminding members of the public that alcohol remains in your system until the morning and could stay there for more than a day, so please be careful when driving the morning after drinking.

Chief Inspector Dave Guthrie said: “We want to make it clear that police don’t want to stop people enjoying their summer, but we do want to ensure that when people are drinking they are not driving.

“We have seen so many families destroyed by the consequences of drink and/or drug-driving, don’t be the reason for someone losing a loved one.

“If you are drinking then plan your journeys; use a taxi, public transport or nominate a designated driver. That way you have no need to get behind the wheel.

“If you need to drive the next morning then make sure you drink responsibly the night before. That extra pint of beer or glass of wine could be the difference between you being arrested, fined or being involved in a crash the next day.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird DBE QC, said: “Leave the car at home, call a taxi, designate a non-drinking driver – do whatever it takes, but don’t ruin your life or someone else’s by making a stupid mistake.

“With hundreds of lives lost each year, it’s important that we reinforce the warnings about how dangerous drink-driving can be and that’s why I give my full support to this campaign.

“I will also continue campaigning to see the national drink-drive limit lowered from 80mg to 50mg, a move that according to research would help improve the road safety for all and ultimately save lives.”

Extra officers are on patrol armed with breathalysers and drug-testing kits and roadside stations have also been set up to test people for drink and drug-driving.